Ha Long Bay Cruise

[Lemon_Party]

I've been through plenty of TR's and looks like a lot of AFFers have done a cruise of Ha Long Bay. Heading there in a few weeks and we've got time to squeeze in an overnight cruise.

Anyone strongly recommend a company to use? Or strongly recommend a company to avoid?!

 

[andmiz]

My wife and I went out earlier this year for a few days and had the time of our life; she's been there many times as a tour guide taking hoards of under 35's. Highly recommend the adjoining Bai Tu Long Bay. Her writeup on it is at Halong Bay Dragon Legend Cruise Review

 

[moa999]

Some recommendations on this thread including mine for Handspan who go out to some of the future away areas

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/ha-long-bay-to-hanoi-62668-3.html

 

[GDSman]

We fly to Vietnam tomorrow and are booked on Dragon Legend 1 night cruise on the 22nd - I'll post any comments if that helps...

 

[GDSman]

As promised, we disembarked a 1 nt cruise today on Dragon Legend 2. All up it was fantastic - you just can't go by that extraordinary land/sea-scape.
The cruise:
Staff, cabin, views - excellent
Food - plentiful but only ok
Excursions - good
Embarkation process - organised chaos

In summary- do it, it's truly wonderful ....pick the right ship for you and enjoy...

 

[Lemon_Party]

As promised, we disembarked a 1 nt cruise today on Dragon Legend 2. All up it was fantastic - you just can't go by that extraordinary land/sea-scape.
The cruise:
Staff, cabin, views - excellent
Food - plentiful but only ok
Excursions - good
Embarkation process - organised chaos

In summary- do it, it's truly wonderful ....pick the right ship for you and enjoy...

Great - thanks. And to the other respondents. It's only a few weeks away so will lock something in soon. It sounds like bai tu long is the place to aim for.

 

[Pushka]

Great scenery.

 

[yld200]

I wen't with Indochina Junk on the Dragon Pearl. Everything was amazing, including the food, tour guide, transport arrangements, very highly recommend this company.

They tour around the less crowded Bai Tu Long Bay which has all of the same scenery except for the traffic you get at Ha Long Bay.

 

[burmans]

I wen't with Indochina Junk on the Dragon Pearl. Everything was amazing, including the food, tour guide, transport arrangements, very highly recommend this company.

They tour around the less crowded Bai Tu Long Bay which has all of the same scenery except for the traffic you get at Ha Long Bay.

Totally totally recommend Indochina Junk and Bai Tu Long bay, you won't see many other boats, the food is superb, and there is minimal pollution. Sure there are cheaper options but there are few better.

 

[GDSman]

 

[Monica932]

Anyone strongly recommend a company to use? Or strongly recommend a company to avoid?!

My friend was on a cruise organised by POcruises and he said that everything was great and for a good price. Maybe you could check them out and see for yourself.

 

[Dr Bob]

Ha Long Bay seems to be a bit of a curse for me. Have booked twice (2013 & 2015) & had to cancel both times about 1 month out (medical reasons) & received full refund both times & an offer of a "special" deal when we finally make it.
I booked directly with aucocruises.com. They do a genuine 2night cruise going further out then those that are out & back every night. My son found them through a Singapore agent. I couldn't find them through a couple of Aussie agents I tried.
Am now looking at next year & will try them again with a deal staying at the Metropol Sofitel.
Has anyone sailed with them?

 

[moa999]

Haven't been withheld Auco but visited their offices (directly opposite HGI in Hanoi)
Definitely seem like a quality offering.

Unfortunately days didn't work for me so I ended up with Handspan which I was pretty happy with.

 

[Lemon_Party]

We are taking Dragon Legend based on earlier recommendations - seem to have good reviews elsewhere as well. They were very responsive via email and easy to deal with for booking as well.

 

[Virgin Bart]

We are taking Dragon Legend based on earlier recommendations - seem to have good reviews elsewhere as well. They were very responsive via email and easy to deal with for booking as well.

Would you mind giving me an idea on costs? I've been thinking about going with them too.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Would you mind giving me an idea on costs? I've been thinking about going with them too.

For 4 adults in 2 cabins we paid $740 USD for the 2 day 1 night. Includes transfers. Our hotel also quoted us a few options via email - I'll send you a PM with that list as its lengthy. In the end we decided to run with Indochina Junk...

 

[GDSman]

We had 2 adults 1 older child in 1 cabin on Dragon Legend 2 for USD500 (I think)

 

[RB]

Some of those prices are a bit eye watering. Many years since we were there but rather than sleep on-board, we stayed on Cat Ba, had a swim at the beach & did a tour next day-does this still get offered?